Floral spray bar



2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTERNEYS IN VENTOR.

B. COWART 'FLORAL SPRAY BAR Feb. 27, 1951 Filed Oct. 11, 1949 Patented Feb. 27, 1951 U Ni TED S TA TE S ATENT "OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates :to a flower holder, and

more particularly to a flower holder for use 'in making a hanging `funeral spray bar.

The object of the invention is to provide a holder which will conveniently' supporta plurality ?of 'cut flowers, whereby the flowers will be attractively supported in a vertical position near a casket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flower holder which contains a moisture absorbent, such as peat moss, the holder being prcvided with a `plurality of openings whereby 'the flowers can be stuck through these openin'gs ?and projected into the peat' moss, so that water will be supplied to the flowers to sustai-n the life of the flowers.

Still another object of the invention isto :pro vide a flower holder `which contains -moisturehold-ing peat moss, the holder including open ings whereby the flowers can be insertedinto the peat moss, `the holder `further including 'a back wall or 'plate which can be' adjusted 'so as to securely hold flowers in theholder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flower holder which is 'extremely simpleand inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects andadvantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawin'g's forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of 'the flower holder, with parts broken away and in section, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is 'a 'sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View showing the back wall 'bei-ng used for' compressing the peat moss, and showing the flower holder Suspended from 'a supporting body;

Fgure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational 'view showing the hanger strap;

Figure 5 is a sectional View' taken on the line 5--5 of Fgure i;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View of a modified flower holder;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the holder of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a ragmentary rear elevational View of a modified hanger strap;

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Referring in detail to Figures 1 through 5 of the drawings, numeral ID designates a housing A which maybe fabricated of any suitable material,

such as wood. The' housing H) includes a front wall "H and a pair of spaced parallel side walls 12 and [3 which are secured to the front wall Il; Extending between the side walls and iS and Secured thereto by suitable securing elements, such as nails ie, is a pair of spaced parallel end walls !4 and [5.

Arran'ged in 'the housing li! is a mass of suit-- able absorbent material, such as peat moss H. The housing lil containing the peat'moss or other aborb'ent therein .is adapted- -to 'be immersecl in water just pror to positioning the 'flowers in the holder, whereby sufiicient water 'will be sup- 'plied to the 'flowers' to sustain the'l-ife of the cut flowers.

A back wall or plate IS is'adj'ustably connected to the housing I'll, whereby the pressure on the absorben-t peat moss l'l can be varied as desired. For adjustab'ly connecting the back wall la to the front wall |`l of 'the housing, a plurality of headed bolts -e extend between the front wall 'H and the back wall 'I l. is provided with an exteriorly-threaded end portion 20 and a wing nut 2! is arranged in threaded engagement with each .of the' portions 2@ for maintaining the parts in assembled relation. Suitablewashers 22 are' circumposed on the bolts 19, Figures 1 and 3.

Each of the front wali's ii, end walls i i and IE, and'side walls !2 .and i@ is provided with a plurality of spaced, 'inclined openings 23 The openings 23 are adapt'ed to receive theren the stems 24 of cut-flowers .25. Further, each of the end walls IE and !5, the side walls i? and 53 'and'the' `front wall 'H is provided with a plurality of "incline'd openings 26 which are 'of a smaller diameter than .the openings 23. The openings 26 .are adapted to receive `therein the stems 21 of smaller flowers .28, or, if desired, ferns may be proje'cted or inserted through the openings 25 and into the peat moss H..

' Pivotally connected to the back wall lt, and arranged adjacent the upper end thereof, isa hanger strap 29. The hanger strap 29 has each of its ends pivotally connected to the back wall !8 by a bracket 30', Figure 4, and each of the brackets 30 is connected to the back wall 18 by suitable securing elements, such as screws 3l. When the spray bar is being used, the web of the hanger strap 29 can be arranged in engagement with a securing element 32 which may be driven into a wall or other supporting structure 33, Figure 3, whereby the spray bar of the present invention will be Suspended in a vertical position.

.Each of the bolts E Referring in detail to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a modified flower holder, which is indicated generally by the numeral 34. The holder 34 includes an inner container 35 and an outer container 35 which is arranged in spaced relation about the inner container 36. A plurality of spacer blocks 31 are interposed between the inner and outer containers.

The outer container 35 is provided with a plurality of spaced, inclined openings 38, and the openings 38 are adapted to register with inclined openings 39 in the inner container 36. The openings 38 and 39 serve to receive therein the stems of flowers, and the inner ends of the flowers engage the noisture-containing peat moss l'l which is arranged in the inner container 36. Further, the outer container 35 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 40 which are of a smaller diameter than the openings 38, and the openings 40 register with openings 4| in the inner container 36, the openings 40 and 4l serving to support smaller flowers or ferns, as desired. A back wall or plate 42 is adjustably connected to the inner container 36 by suitable securing elements, such as the bolts !9 which have the wing nuts 2l connected thereto, whereby the pressure on the peat moss I 'I can be varied as desired.

In Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a modified method of connecting the hanger strap 29 to the back wall of the flower holder. Thus, a pair of ears 43 are stamped from the back wall 42, and the ears 43 pivotally connect the free ends of the hanger strap 29 to the back wall 42, so that the hanger strap 29 provides a means for supporting the spray bar of the present invention in a vertical position.

From the oregoing, it is apparent that a flower holder has been provided wherein a plurality of cut flowers of various sizes can be positioned through the openings 23 and 26 of the device shown in Figures 1 through 4. The openings 23 and 26 are adapted to receive the stems of the flowers, and the inner ends of the stems project into the mass of peat moss l'l, which has been previously soaked in water. so that sufficient water will be supplied to the flowers to sustain their life. The size and spacing of the openings 23 and 26 can be changed or varied as desired, depending upon the flowers being supported and the efiect desired. Fu'ther, by tightening the wing nuts 2l, the plate !8 will move from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 3, whereby the peat moss H will be compressed so that the cut flowers will be securely held in the holder, whereby the flowers will be prevented from accidentally falling from the openings therein.

In the flower holder shown in Figur-es 6 and 7, the holder is fabricated of any suitable material, such as sheet metal, and the holder comprises a pair of containers 35 and 35 which are provided with registering openings therein. The openings in these containers are adapted to receive stems of cut flowers therein, and these flowers again project into the mass of peat moss l1 which Supplies suflicient water to the cut flowers. Further, each of the holders is provided with a hanger strap 29, whereby the spray bar can be conveniently hung in a vertical position.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a holder has been provided wherein flowers or ornamental decorations can be supported. By using the device of the present invention, the stems or roots of the flowers are arranged in engagement with the water-containing peat mos and, further, by using the holder of the present invention, an inexperienced person will be able to make a professional-looking funeral spray simply by cutting flowers or ferns and putting the flowers and ferns through the inclined holes and then tightening the nuts 2 l, whereby the peat moss will be packed tightly against the flower stems so as to hold the stems firmly in position. The device of the present invention will improve the art of making routine funeral sprays, since the designer will only have to cut the flowers and stick them into the holes and then tighten the wing nuts. It is to be understood that the spray bar of the present invention is soaked in water a few seconds prior to using the spray bar, so as to wet the peat moss.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flower holder, an inner casing adapted to hold peat moss, a back wall adjustably connected to said inner casing, a hanger strap connected to said back wall, an outer container arranged in spaced relation about said inner casing, there being a plurality of spaced registering openings in each of said casings and container for the projection therethrough of flower stems.

2. A flower holder comprising an inner container for holding peat moss, and an outer containe' arranged in spaced relation about said inner container, a plurality of spacer block interposed between said inner and outer containers, there being a plurality of spaced inclined registering openings in said inner and outer containers for receivin therein stems of flowers, a back wall adjustably connected to said inner container, and a hanger strap pivotally connected to said back wall.

3. In a flower holder, an inner casing adapted to hold a water-absorbent material, a back wall connected to said inner casing, a hanger strap connected to said back wall, an outer container arranged in spaced relation about said inner casing, there being a plurality of spaced registering openings in each of said casings and container for the projection therethrough of flower stems.

BURLEIGH COWART.

REFEEENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,336,249 Ludwig Apr. 6, 1920 1,887,139 Richardson Nov. 8, 1932 

